Red White and Snow 2022 Opportunity Drawing Luxury Kenya Safari

Resting in the magnificent Great Rift Valley and presided over by the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, Kenya is characterised by hauntingly beautiful natural landscapes of forested hills, patchwork farms, wooded savanna and vast forests brimming with an extraordinary abundance of wildlife. The nation’s diverse range of traditional African cultures is influenced by over 70 unique ethnic groups from the Maasai, Samburu, Kikuyu, and Turkana tribes to the Arabs and Indians that settled on the coast. Add to this: an exquisite tropical coastline fringed with breathtaking golden sand beaches; gorgeous coral gardens providing excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities; and a slew of lively beach resorts, and it is easy to see why so many visitors flock here from around the world to experience a truly unique African adventure in one of the world’s most pristine safari destinations.

There is a new process for obtaining Kenya Visas. All visitors to Kenya will need to obtain a visa online before departure. We will send a full step by step instructions on how to complete the form.

The Kenya Visa is valid for 90 days. The 90-Day Visa Validity commences from the date of E-Visa approval … not of one’s arrival into Kenya. Please be sure you do not apply too early.

The official timeline given is about 48hours to receive the E-Visa approval. (We recommend you allow at least 7 working days to allow for any possible delays since this is a fairly new process.)

The EAC Tourist Visa allowing travel to Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda is not available online. This can only be applied for and issued on arrival at the Airport.

Currency

The currency in Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling (KES; symbol KSh). USD are accepted in many places

USD - Please be sure to have smaller bills dated 2013 or newer and must be in good condition, not torn or defaced.

Foreign currency can be exchanged at the major banks, bureaux de change or authorised hotels. The banks at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Moi International Airport have 24-hour exchange services. The easiest currencies to exchange are US Dollars, Pounds Sterling and Euros.

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding US$5,000 or equivalent must be declared.

Banking

Banking hours: Monday-Friday 09h00-15h00, Saturday 09h00-11h00. Banks in Mombasa and the coastal areas open and close half an hour earlier.

Credits Cards are widely accepted in all major hotels and more upmarket establishments, with the most recognized being Master Card and Visa. American Express and Diners Club cards are occasionally accepted. However, you will need some cash handy because smaller shops will only accept cash.

Almost every bank now has an ATM, and they are increasingly being installed at petrol stations in cities and large towns.

Travellers cheques are no longer accepted in Kenya.

Nairobi has two airports for domestic and regional flights: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Wilson Airport (www.kaa.go.ke). Kenya has over 150 domestic airports and airstrips and there are daily flights to the most popular destinations. In addition to the scheduled airlines, several private charter companies operate out of Wilson Airport.

On smaller, domestic planes the baggage allowance is restricted to 15 kg (33 lbs) including hand luggage in fully soft sided bags. Arrangements can be made to leave excess luggage.

Most camps, lodges or hotels cater specifically to tourists and serve Western-style food of an excellent quiality. Please advise us if you have any dietary requirements so we can ensure the camps can cater to your needs.

Nairobi has some of the finest eating establishments in Africa. Many different cuisines and types of restaurants are available, ranging from Indian, Brazilian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, German and French restaurants.

Annual rainfall: 680 mm 
Average temperature: 25°C - 29°C 
 
Summer: December-March
Average in highs: 26°C 
Average in lows: 16°C 
 
Winter: July-October
Average in highs: 21°C 
Average in lows: 12°C 

* Kenya, due to its equatorial location, does not experience traditional summer and winter seasons. Instead, it has periods that are cooler and drier. The climate is generally characterized by wet and dry seasons.

Best time to visit: Visiting between June and September, during the long dry season, will allow you to experience a milder climate and witness the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra. The short dry season, from January to March, provides excellent opportunities for beach visits and outdoor activities. During the rainy seasons, you’ll find fewer tourists and stunning, lush landscapes. The long rainy season runs from March to May, and the short rainy season runs from October to December.

Just a reminder - no whites or brights for walking in the bush! Pack light, laundry can be done where you have time.

Comfortable, casual clothing that is lightweight is the best bet while on safari. It can be quite cool in the early mornings, so you'll want to dress warmly in layers, until the sun has a chance to warm up the air. "Kenya Convertibles", khaki pants with zip-off legs, are perfect for cool early morning game drives that turn warm before you're back in camp. Walking shorts, long pants, cotton shirts and tees are just right. A cotton bush jacket or wind-breaker will be useful along with a warm sweater or fleece jacket for the cool nights and a hat is a must. A comfortable pair of walking shoes or tennis shoes and a pair of sandals should be adequate.

In Kenya's major cities the dress code is conservative but not overly formal – jeans and decent tops for women are fine. Swimsuits are acceptable on the beach but you’ll need to cover up in public places.

Internet cafes: Yes 
Accommodation options: Yes 
Restaurants: Yes 
Cafes: Yes 
Shopping malls: Yes 
Public parks: No 
Libraries: Yes, in cities. 

Tipping Guidelines:

Please note that tipping is not included in the price of your safari. We offer some guidelines as follows, but please check with each camp as guidelines vary and our recommendations tend to err on the higher end to ensure you carry enough cash, please note that tipping is at your discretion:

*Kenya (USD is accepted)

· Nairobi - Your transfer drivers in Nairobi need to be taken care of. If you have a driver for the day, it would be appreciated if you invite him to join you for meals where appropriate. A tip of $20 for half a day and $30 for a full day (per group) is a general guideline. Tipping for transfers between the hotel and airport is at your discretion, we recommend between $10 - $15 per group per transfer.

· Kenya Safari - Please check with your host for advice on tipping. A general guideline would be $25 - $35 per person in your party, per night. These tips are distributed amongst the staff: $10 - $15 per person per day for “behind the scenes” help such as laundry, cooks, game drivers, horse handlers, and portage. You will want to tip your guide separately - we suggest $10 - $15 per person in your party per day, and $5 per person per day for your spotter if you have one.

· Tips and gratuities to airport and hotel/lodge porters are at your discretion - suggestion of $2 per bag.